Chute for dehorning cattle



(No Model.)

N. J. THOMAS.

GHUTE FOR DEHORNING CATTLE.

No. 459,052. Patented Sept. 8, 1891.

INVENTOR By mm 13,-. M A TTORNE Y.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

NATHAN J. THOMAS, OF MORRISON, ILLINOIS.

CHUTE FOR DEHORNING CATTLE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 459,052, dated September 8, 1891.

Application filed November 18, 1390. Serial No. 371,845. (No model.)

To aZZ whom, it may concern.-

Be it known that I, NATHAN J. THOMAS, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Morrison, in the county of lVhiteside and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Chutes for Dehorning Cattle; and I do declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to letters of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

Figure 1 of the drawings is a perspective view of theinvention. Fig. 2 isa detail view, showing noselever. Fig. 3 is a plan view of the catch f. Fig. 4 is a detail view of the bracket and seat for the catch f.

The invention has relation to dehorningchutes, or devices for securing or holding cattle while removing theirhorns; and it consists in the novel construction and combination of parts, as hereinafter described.

In the accompanying drawings, A represents the chute, which consists of the frame 13, having therein the box or stall B, said boX or stall being open at the rear and front ends and having the outwardly-flaring side walls Z). A stanchion O is pivoted at its lower end to the front end sill of the stall, its upper end being free to slide within the slot 0 between the two top cross pieces or braces d d, which are secured to opposite sides of the forward posts of the frame. One of the forward posts D stands inside of the side wall of the stall, and about midway its height on its rear face, is pivoted one end of a lever E, adapted, when the device is in use, to be brought down and pinned or otherwise secured at its free end to the opposite post. On its front face, some distance below the point where the lever E is pivoted on its rear face, is pivoted a second shorter lever F, the free end of which is adapted to rest, when the parts are in work ing position,in a seat e, formedin the bracket 6, which is secured to the stanchion O near its lower end. At one end of the slot 0 is pivoted a catch f, which is formed with a' series of steps or retaining-shoulders f, which are adapted to engage the top of the stanchion (l and lock it against outward movement. Its inward movement is limited by the pin A cord or wire 71. is secured to the free end of the catch f, said cord passing thence up and over a bearing in an arm 9, secured to the frame, thence down to a position where it may be operated to lock and release the stanchion.

H represents an arm or lever, known as the nose-lever, which is pivoted at one end to one of the forward side braces of the frame and when not in use is supported by the bracket 72,, secured to the top of the frame. Near its central portion the rear face of this lever is provided with a couple of pins or pegs 7. a short distance apart, which are adapted to engage the nose of the animal, as hereinafter described.

The animal to be operated upon is placed in the stall, the stanchion and levers being moved back out of the way. The stanchion C is then brought up and locked, thus securing the head of the animal against lateral movement. The lever F, or chin-lever, is then brought up under the chin and the top lever E brought down against the top of the head and secured in such position. The noselever is then brought down andheld and the animals head thus firmly and steadily held. Afterit has been dehorned the upper leveris raised, the nose-leverhung in its bracket, and the stanchion released, permitting the animal to pass out and leaving the stall ready to receive the next.

By using levers in the manner above described, instead of ropes, the trouble and annoyance of adjusting or placing the ropes upon the animals head are avoided, and there is less liability of the animal moving itshead from side to side, and especially by using the nose-lever with the pins, which pass upon each side of the nose, whereas a rope must be passed around the central portion of the head to keep it from coming off.

Having thus fully described my invention, whatI claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

The combination, with the chute having a slot atits upper front portion, of the stanchion pivoted at its lower end to the front end sill of the chute and its upper end being free to slide Within the slot at the upper front portion of said chute, and a pivoted notched catch for locking said stanchion in different positions, a lever E, pivoted at one end to one of the forward posts of the chute, a fastening for said lever on the opposite post, a lever pivoted below lever E and having a seat for its free end in said stanchion, anda lever H, pivoted at one end to one of the side braces IQ of the chute-frame, said lever having pins or pegs thereon adapted to engage the nose of the animal, and means for supporting said lever in a vertical position when not in use, substantially as specified.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in [5 presence of two witnesses.

N. J. THOMAS.

Witnesses:

A. R. LEWIS, M. B. CODDING. 

